Stephen Robinson has feared St Mirren were in a relegation scrap for weeks.
Now he believes the Buddies simply have to start picking up points or risk dropping down into the Championship next season after seeing his side capitulate at the back against Motherwell.
The Saints have only won once in Robinson's first eight games in charge, a dramatic late win against bottom of the table side Dundee.
And with a clash against Rangers coming up this weekend, the Paisley club could yet find themselves in a battle to stay in the top flight after the split.
Robinson told Express Sport: "It was woeful, woeful defending.
"If you don't defend properly you're going to lose games.
"We lost four goals and we've got one of the worst defensive records in the league, so it's not surprising to be honest.
"Defensively we were really poor. Three of the goals they literally just passed them into the goal.
"I believe we're in a relegation scrap.
"I believed it a few weeks ago without coming out and saying it, but I genuinely believe we now need results very quickly."
